The value of a quantization parameter for at least one second color component of an image or image portion is determined using a current color format among several possible color formats. The determination comprises the steps of selecting at least one function associated with a possible color format, and determining the value of the quantization parameter for the second color component by applying said at least one function to a value of an intermediate quantization parameter which is based on the value of the quantization parameter of the first color component of the image or image portion. The at least one function is selected independently from the current color format.